Generator Cord Receptacle

[RCW]

Know there’s a lot of guys more savvy than me at this stuff.

I had a 50 amp feed put in for my generator.

The box on the outside of the house came with a 15 foot cord, which has proven to be too short for my situation.

I got a 50 foot cord, and realized it doesn’t have the center pin on the receptacle like the 15 foot cord has.

I didn’t wire the box, but I think the center pin is just for alignment, and is not a conductor?

The pins in the box are two hots and the neutral; the ground is around the outside perimeter of the plug and receptacle?

15 foot cord.

50 foot cord.

 

[bearbait]

Know there’s a lot of guys more savvy than me at this stuff.

I had a 50 amp feed put in for my generator.

The box on the outside of the house came with a 15 foot cord, which has proven to be too short for my situation.

I got a 50 foot cord, and realized it doesn’t have the center pin on the receptacle like the 15 foot cord has.

I didn’t wire the box, but I think the center pin is just for alignment, and is not a conductor?

The pins in the box are two hots and the neutral; the ground is around the outside perimeter of the plug and receptacle?

15 foot cord.

View attachment 124754

50 foot cord.

View attachment 124755

View attachment 124756

Yes RCW I believe you're right but I can't say I've ever seen one like that, almost looks like that centre post would pull out if you tried.

 

[RCW]

Thanks bear - I do see a small metal contact in the box’s pin, but the obvious ground to me is the conductor on the outside of the receptacle.

There is no metal conductor on the cord side plug.

 

[RCW]

Just for giggles, I started to make a center pin. Still needs work, but close to fitting.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The center pin is just a guide pin, no electrical or ground connection involved.
DO NOT add a pin, it's not needed, and it's not safe to add in.

 

[CAPT Seabee]

Look closer. The center pin isn't the issue. Check out

Amazon.com

It's a 4 wire with the ground on the side edge of the plug. Your picture shows this on the package label. If the ground connector isn't there, it needs to be returned as a defect.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Your not in California, you don't need it!

 

[bearbait]

Your not in California, you don't need it!

Agreed, kinda confuse me but you are right, nothing like that here in Canada eh

 

[RCW]

Your not in California, you don't need it!

Thanks Wolfman -

I saw that CS designation, but could not find it’s derivation.

For folks in the future, the common references are CS6375 and CS6364. Per the video, the CS reference is California Standard.

For us “normal” folks, the configuration is SS2-50, which is compatible with both CS versions from what I can determine.

While shopping for a generator and appurtenances, I did notice some were “50 state compliant” where others did not.

What NIW pointed out is that California compliance…..

 

[RCW]

Look closer. The center pin isn't the issue. Check out

Amazon.com

It's a 4 wire with the ground on the side edge of the plug. Your picture shows this on the package label. If the ground connector isn't there, it needs to be returned as a defect.

The ground is there. My picture didn’t capture it as it was on the other side of the receptacle.

 

[Flintknapper]

What NIW pointed out is that California compliance…..

^^^^^^

Somewhere on it probably says: "Known to cause cancer in the State of California".

Hell.....everything else does.

 

[RCW]

^^^^^^

Somewhere on it probably says: "Known to cause cancer in the State of California".

Hell.....everything else does.

One of our identical twin daughters lives within 300 yards of the Monterey Bay beach.

The Mrs. visits often. I’m only good for occasional visits.

Way too many people for me, and I don’t travel well in general.

It’s remarkably expensive to live there. I can’t imagine the lifestyle.

 

[RCW]

Yes RCW I believe you're right but I can't say I've ever seen one like that, almost looks like that centre post would pull out if you tried.

@bearbait was right from the get-go. The pin could be pulled from the other plug.

Many thanks my friend.

Many thanks to Wolfman for clarifying it.

Just couldn’t take it to California….

 

[DustyRusty]

This is the latest NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) picture of the various plug and receptacle types. Knowing the proper code identification will help you to get the correct item every time.

NEMA Plug and Outlet chart

Need some help identifying your wall outlet? We can help! Below is a description of the more common NEMA outlets and their numbers as well as some handy NEMA plug charts. You can also email us a pic of your plugs and outlets you need help identifying and we would be happy to help. Here are the...

www.bsaelectronics.com

 

[Flintknapper]

One of our identical twin daughters lives within 300 yards of the Monterey Bay beach.

The Mrs. visits often. I’m only good for occasional visits.

Way too many people for me, and I don’t travel well in general.

It’s remarkably expensive to live there. I can’t imagine the lifestyle.

Oh believe me....I know.

My Daughter is an 'RN' and has been 'Travel Nursing' for the last 12 yrs.

Currently out in Commiefornia (the last 3 years). Says it was Culture Shock at first for a Texas Girl.

 

[GeoHorn]

^^^^^^

Somewhere on it probably says: "Known to cause cancer in the State of California".

Hell.....everything else does.

It’s Californica that causes Cancer.

I used to have to go there for my work…but the only part of that place I ever enjoyed was the Northern portion of the state…specifically Mammoth/June Lakes.

 

[RCW]

Oh believe me....I know.

My Daughter is an 'RN' and has been 'Travel Nursing' for the last 12 yrs.

Currently out in Commiefornia (the last 3 years). Says it was Culture Shock at first for a Texas Girl.

She’s been out in the Monterey Bay Area for 9 years.

Loves it.

She and her significant other pay more in rent than mom and I made (gross) in our early years…. Just can’t imagine…

That said, he’s got a boat and a slip for fishing in the bay and the Pacific. They like it there.

 

[RCW]

While I’m probably not going to use it, principle dictated I complete the fashion of a pin for the CS6364 plug.

I don’t have the machinery some our OTT friends have. They’re so gifted, and I appreciate them sharing here.

Bench grinder and an impromptu “lathe” got it pretty close to the pin I was trying to replicate.

Q

Just need to cut to length… if I were to use it.

 

[jaxs]

While I’m not going to use it, principle dictated I complete the fashion of a pin for the CS6364 plug.

I don’t have the machinery some our OTT friends have. They’re so gifted, and I appreciate them sharing here.

Bench grinder and an impromptu “lathe” got it pretty close to the pin I was trying to replicate.
Q

Just need to cut to length… if I were to use it.

 

[RCW]

Not sure what that means….